Pope Supports International Climate Change Campaign

Following the 2nd Anniversary of his historic environmental encyclical, Pope Francis endorsed the Laudato Si’ Pledge campaign, which was also supported by many other Church leaders. Through the Pledge, the Global Catholic Climate Movement aims to mobilize at least 1 million Catholics to become directly engaged in turning Laudato Si into action to care for the planet.

Following the 2nd Anniversary of his historic environmental encyclical, Pope Francis endorsed the Laudato Si’ Pledge campaign, which was also supported by many other Church leaders. Through the Pledge, the Global Catholic Climate Movement aims to mobilize at least 1 million Catholics to become directly engaged in turning Laudato Si into action to care for the planet.

In June 2015, Pope Francis released his historic encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for our Common Home. In it, he urgently calls “every person living on this planet” to start a dialogue and begin to transform our hearts and communities to stop the warming of the planet and curb greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat the climate crisis. Now is the time to act. The Laudato Si’ Pledge is a global campaign by the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) and its member organizations to raise awareness of the encyclical’s message and to encourage the Catholic community to take action with the urgency required by the climate crisis.

About Laudato Si’

Laudato Si’ is Pope Francis’ historic encyclical on care for creation and our common home, calling for “ecological conversion”, changes in lifestyle and society, and strong political action. It was released on June 18, 2015.

Care for creation has been part of the Church’s social teaching for many years, with over 50 statements from either the Vatican or various Bishops’ conferences issued since 1970. However, Laudato Si’ is the first encyclical–the highest level of church teaching–issued on care for creation.

Laudato Si’ has also been transformative by demonstrating the way that our care for each other, our care for nature, and our spiritual life are all interconnected. Our current “throwaway culture” shows a disregard for life, for our community, for the poor and vulnerable, and for creation.

It is only by working together towards true conversion and true lifestyle change, by opening ourselves to “hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” that we can make the changes that we need. This encyclical calls each of us to action, as individuals and a church, and gives us hope that by working towards change together we can protect our common home.

This is why we are asking people, parishes and organizations to sign the Laudato Si’ pledge, and promise to heed the Pope’s call to pray for and with creation, live more simply, and advocate to protect our common home. Because Pope Francis has given us more than a document to study. Truly this encyclical calls us to live Laudato Si’.

What is the Pledge all about?

We need an urgent and holistic response to the climate change crisis, that includes each of us embracing care for creation in our spiritual lives, taking steps to change our own lifestyle, and pushing for change in our society. Anyone taking this pledge commits to doing those three things in the spirit of Laudato Si’.

What do I have to do if I sign the Pledge?

The Laudato Si’ pledge states that the signer will “pray for and with creation, live more simply, and advocate to protect our common home.” We have resources to help suggest different ways to accomplish those three things, but we only ask that the signers commit to doing those in whatever way works best for them as an individual, family or parish. While there is no “requirement” as part of this pledge, we hope that anyone who signs it will also encourage others to sign the pledge and look for ways to become more engaged around care for creation in your parish and community as well.